| Geneva Study Bible And his heart was {c} lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. (c) He gave himself wholly to serve the Lord. Wesley's Notes 17:6 Lifted up - Above all discouragements, and fears. He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways. Groves - Those wherein idols were worshipped, and though Asa had done this before, yet either he did not do it thoroughly; or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones, in the latter part of his reign, when he grew more infirm in body, and more remiss in God's cause. King James Translators' Notes was...: that is, was encouraged Scofield Reference Notes Margin high places See Scofield Note: "1Ki 3:2". Margin groves See Scofield Note: "Dt 16:21" See Scofield Note: "Jud 3:7". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 6. his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord-Full of faith and piety, he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners, to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on [440]2Ch 20:33), and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 17:1-19 Jehoshaphat promotes religion in Judah, His prosperity. - Jehoshaphat found his people generally very ignorant, and therefore endeavoured to have them well taught. The public teaching of the word of God forms, in all ages, the great method of promoting the power of godliness. Thereby the understanding is informed, the conscience is awakened and directed. We have a particular account of Jehoshaphat's prosperity. But it was not his formidable army that restrained the neighbouring nations from attempting any thing against Israel, but the fear of God which fell upon them, when Jehoshaphat reformed his country, and set up a preaching ministry in it. The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom, than soldiers and weapons of war. The Bible requires use to notice the hand of God in every event, yet this is little regarded. But let all employ the talents they have: be faithful, even in that which is little. Set up the worship of God in your houses. The charge of a family is important. Why should you not instruct them as Jehoshaphat did his subjects, in the book of the law of the Lord. But be consistent. Do not recommend one thing, and practise another. Begin with yourselves. Seek to the Lord God of Israel, then call upon children and servants to follow your example. | 
